Lent and the Divine Life, by Carl E. Olson

By Carl E. Olson, Catholic World Report, Feb. 11, 2024

Carl E. Olson is editor of Catholic World Report and Ignatius Insight. He is the author of Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?, Will Catholics Be “Left Behind”?, co-editor/contributor to Called To Be the Children of God, co-author of The Da Vinci Hoax (Ignatius), and author of the “Catholicism” and “Priest Prophet King” Study Guides for Bishop Robert Barron/Word on Fire. …

(Editor’s note: This essay was published originally in March 2019 on The Imaginative Conservative site in slightly different form and is posted here with kind permission of TIC.)

Fasting is far more than just an obligation or even a discipline; it is connected with the very mystery of life and death, of salvation and damnation.

“Fasting is a medicine.” — St. John Chrysostom

“The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” — Matthew 9:15

“What are you giving up for Lent?” While the question might be common in many Christian circles, it seems that answers to it are, well, increasingly creative. In fact, there are websites and books (with work sheets!) aplenty that offer “creative” suggestions for those trying to discern what needs to be given up, shut down, set aside, reduced, or eliminated altogether. And that’s fine, especially if it helps people take steps in spiritual growth. …